Blue Nails for Autism - OPI Swimsuit...Nailed it

Quick post today of my second Blue Nails for Autism mani

For this mani I used OPI-Swimsuit...Nailed It and stamped with Sally Hansen Silver Sweep and BM-314.  I love this blue! It is my ultimate TARDIS blue (big geek) polish.  I used 2 coats of Swimsuit...Nailed It even though 1 thick coat is probably enough.  It is a perfect metallic blue foil that dries pretty quick.  I topped everything off with a coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat.

The Hubs and I are running away to the beach this weekend so I probably wont be back til Monday!  Have an awesome weekend.



Color Club Blue-Ming and gold stamped mani

Have I mentioned how much I love mint green?

Well...anything in the mint green and turquoise family really, especially when it is paired with gold.

It's such a great combo...never gets old in my book

Today's mani was done with Color Club's Blue-Ming and stamped using Revlon 24k (Cheeky XL plate B) and decided to add an accent finger with OPI Goldeneye.

Pretty right? I love Blue-Ming!  It's like the brighter/neon brother of China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint (my all time favorite polish ever!!).  I did have to add a couple drops of thinner to my bottle, but its pretty much perfect now.  I used 2 coats of Blue-Ming and 2.5 of Goldeneye all topped off with 1 coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat.

I want to take a minute to mention the XL squishy stamper in the first pic.

  I'm in love with it a little.  I had seen it used in some YouTube videos (I always watch reviews before buying a new set of plates...just in case) and thought wow...that stamper looks like it would be really great.

In the past I have always used the pink Konad stampers,which work great, but I didn't like that they have very little cushion.  If you have long nails they will bend your nail when you stamp, etc. 

This XL squishy stamper on the other hand is different.  I don't know what kind of rubber/silicone this is but it's ridiculously squishy.  You dont have to "roll" the stamp on your finger.  You can just smoosh your finger face down on the pad and it will squish the design on all sides of your nail.  Can we say no more crooked stamps?! The pad is also slightly sticky so I find that it picks up the image better...like there is no more residue polish on your plate.  I highly recommend buying this stamper if you haven't already.  I purchased mine from this eBay store.  It costs a little more than other ones listed, but the seller is located in the US and I got it really quick vs. waiting 3-4 weeks.  There is a video included in the listing so you can see the awesomeness of this stamper.

Ok...enough ranting. I'll be back with more swatches later.

Pink and Nude Gradient Mani (with easy cleanup?)

Remember how in my DIY Peel off Base Coat post I mentioned

that I would see if the glue helped in the cleanup process of a sponged gradient mani?

Well, I did....and it does!  Last week Sam from The Nailasaurus did a post on

Liquid Palisade, which is a masking product that allows you to simply peel off the mess after a mani is done.  This got me thinking...its pretty much the same idea of a peel off base coat which is really just glue.  Who didn't enjoy putting glue on your hand and peeling it off as a kid?

Anywho, I tried this technique this weekend by painting all around my cuticle and down my finger a bit (where I usually have mess from a sponge gradient).

After I let it dry (1-5 min) I painted as usual and then the fun began.

The mess just peeled away!  All I had to do was alittle cuticle clean up at the end and maybe a little warm water clean up to get any glue residue off.  Plus I got the added fun of peeling glue.

I have also read that Liquid Latex is a cheap alternative to Liquid Palisade.

Both dry to a rubbery finish, which I'm sure makes it easier to peel than glue, except that Liquid Latex is just pennies compared to Liquid Palisade.  I found this option on Amazon and it comes with a brush for around $4+shipping (around $8 total).  That's much better than $22. 

But if you don't want to spend any extra and you have some Elmers glue hanging around...go for it.  It works just as good!

Here is my finished mani.  My base was OPI "Don't Pretzel My Buttons" combined with a coral and hot pink from Sinful Colors for the gradient (dont remember the names at the  moment).  For grins I added a coat of Orly "Too Fab" mainly because I'm a little obsessed with the way it looks on top of everything.

12 Days of Christmas Nail Art Challenge Day 9 - Christmas Wreath

 Monday was Day 9 - Christmas Wreath

Sorry for posting these so late, but it has been a busy few days...you know with it being Christmas and all.  

For this mani I decided to have some fun with my Cheeky Rhinestones and a little stamping.  My ring finger served as the accent nail with the "Christmas Wreath" made entirely of green rhinestones and a hand painted bow.  In person this mani was much more sparkly.  Both the OPI and China Glaze base colors are beautiful glass fleck polishes...sad it wouldn't capture on camera....to much awesome I guess.

I failed to take a picture of my nail plate and stamping polish I used.  I used plate BM14(2010 set) and Revlon's 24k.

One more post and I'll be caught up.  Stay tuned!

12 Days of Christmas Nail Art Challenge Day 8 - Christmas Tree

Ive been late in posting my Christmas Nail Art Challenge mani.

Friday was Day 8 - Christmas Tree 

Here is my Christmas Tree....a bit simple but I like it.  

Here are the colors I used as well as the addition of a silver star from my Cheeky rhinestone set I ordered here. 

Once again head on over to Nicole's blog to see her challenge mani's and the other participants of this challenge.  

I'll be back with Day 9 and 10 in a few.

OPI Partners with Multi-Platinum International Superstar Mariah Carey to Launch Limited Edition Shades, Featuring the Revolutionary New Liquid Sand™ Nail Lacquers

OPI announces the launch of eight new limited edition shades inspired and hand-selected by multiple Grammy Award winning recording artist Mariah Carey. These shades include four new OPI Liquid Sand™ lacquers featuring groundbreaking technology for a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle.
“OPI is extremely excited to work with Mariah,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “She’s very passionate about beauty and her nails in particular. Her music, which includes 18 Billboard No. 1 singles, served as a wonderful inspiration for glamorous, sultry, vibrant colors."

"To pay homage to her iconic status, we wanted to launch her collection with something completely new and exciting. OPI Liquid Sand nail lacquer offers a never-before-seen look with a pebbled finish that lightly shimmers with fine glitter particles. Worn without top coat, Liquid Sand lacquer gives nails a unique textured matte finish worthy of a superstar.”

Mariah Carey by OPI includes four Studio Shades – ranging from pink glitter to rich plum crème – and four Stage Shades – each featuring the new textured finish.

Studio Shades include:

A Butterfly Moment - This sophisticated and frosty tan nude has us all a-flutter

Sprung - Fall hopelessly in love with this shimmery copper

Pink Yet Lavender - This pink glitter with lavender shimmer has superstar shine!

Anti-bleak - This deep, creamy purple will lift your spirits.

                                                        

                                                             Stage Shades include:

Stay the Night - Make it last in this matte black with red glints

Get Your Number - Wearing this matte blue with sparkles is a great call

Can’t Let Go - Hold onto this matte purple with dazzling sparkle

The Impossible - This matte fuchsia with star confetti will never give up

OPI Liquid Sand lacquers should always be worn without top coat.

Mariah Carey by OPI nail lacquers contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application. This promotion will be available beginning January 2013 at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

BLOGGER'S NOTE: Additional photos of this collection are available to view on Beauty Geeks.

First Look at OPI Spring 2013 Euro Centrale Collection

OPI Announces the Launch of Euro Centrale for Spring/Summer 2013

Classic meets contemporary with Euro Centrale by OPI for Spring/Summer 2013. Celebrating a region where history meets modern design, the collection’s twelve new nail lacquers offer a mixture of glamorous metallic hues; playful bright shades in periwinkle, aqua and pink; and creamy blues in indigo, midnight and aubergine.

“Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania make up an exciting new fashion hotspot,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “When visiting these countries, you’ll view Gothic churches alongside vibrant graffiti murals, blending two very different aesthetics. This fusion of old and new was also seen in runway looks during New York Fashion Week, where classic styles were reinvented with modern silhouettes and patterns.

“Euro Centrale boasts a wide variety of shades, ranging from pale nude to deep blue – and featuring everything from shimmering copper to aqua in between!,” continues Weiss-Fischmann. “Whether you’re looking to spice up a black and white print, or add neutrality to a vivid brocade, these lacquers are designed to accessorize spring’s hottest looks.”

Euro Centrale by OPI includes the following shades:

• Polka.com - Blue and violet are dancing partners in this glittery combo.
• OPI…Eurso Euro -  This deep blue cream is very continental.
• Suzi’s Hungary AGAIN! - Thank goodness there are zero calories in this warm and yummy pink!
• You’re Such a BudaPest - If I let you borrow this periwinkle-purple, will you go away?
• Can’t Find My Czechbook - I hope you take credit, because I must have this aqua!
• My Paprika is Hotter than Yours! - Get the extinguisher...this fiery red is sizzling!
• Hands Off My Kielbasa! - Get your own...this bronzy tan is all mine!
• OY–Another Polish Joke! - So this shimmery-gold walks into a bar...
• A Woman’s Prague-ative - I’m changing this shimmery copper for...never mind!
• Vant to Bite My Neck? - You know you want to...wear this deep eggplant.
• I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw - Be seen in this deep midnight blue.
• My Vampire is Buff - Creamy, pale and nude...just how I like my vampires.

Euro Centrale Collection nail lacquer shades contain no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde, and each includes OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.

Euro Centrale by OPI will be available February 6, 2013, at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA, for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer.

For more information, please call 800-341-9999 or visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!